K20 SPARK: Scientists Promoting Authentic Resources in K-12

Free bioenergy curriculum materials and videos for teachers are now available online via the K20Alt site at http://k20alt.ou.edu/journal/planting-fuel-photosynthesis/. 

The materials, which were developed under the K20 SPARK program (Scientists Promoting Authentic Resources in K-12) provide teachers with hands-on science curriculum that meets state education standards, while also providing students with cellulosic bioenergy knowledge for the 21st Century. 

"Planting Fuel:  Photosynthesis" is the first in a series of K20 SPARK online cellulosic bioenergy lessons. The comprehensive material, which includes supportive video for teachers, lesson plans, a PowerPoint tutorial, detailed PASS objectives, experiments, graphs and student handouts, was developed by Dr. Rao Uppalapati, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation scientist and OK EPSCoR researcher, in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma's K20 Center.  The project was made possible through an award from Oklahoma EPSCoR. 

Click here to access the K20 SPARK bioenergy material.

Read more about the project:

Bringing current research into the classroom is both a goal and a challenge for high school teachers. Teachers want research connected to real world experiences to deepen students’ understanding of science. Yet, connecting with the researchers in the field is a physical, and often geographical challenge. The K20 SPARK (Scientists Promoting Authentic Resources for K-12) program has found a way for scientists to connect with educators and bring their research to classrooms around the globe.

K20 SPARK is a branch of K20 Authentic Learning and Teaching (K20alt), a program offered by the K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal at the University of Oklahoma.

The program hosts an online portal where researchers can share research experiences with K-12 educators, as well as lesson plans developed in science, technology engineering and math curriculum.

Through an Oklahoma EPSCoR award, Dr. Rao Uppalapati, a Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation plant biologist and EPSCoR researcher,  is one of the research scientists collaborating with K20 SPARK. Uppalapati specializes in plant functional genomics and microbe interactions, particularly in switchgrass, a naturally occurring prairie grass farmed for biofuels at the Noble Foundation in Ardmore, OK.

K20 staff and Uppalapati spent weeks working to break down the complex processes of cellulosic biofuels into lessons geared toward middle- and high school students. The curriculum begins with the fundamentals of plant functions and leads to an understanding of cellulosic biofuels production, or the process of converting plant tissue into biofuels.

As part of the lesson, Uppalapati also explains the challenges of biofuels research, including problems posed by pathogens. Biofuel crops like switchgrass are prone to pathogens when grown on the large scale forecasted for biofuels production.

“I want them to be aware that new, emerging fields require tremendous research in countless areas," explained Uppalapati. "We want to encourage students to see the connection between the larger world and the lab.  These connections will generate new and exciting ideas for the next generation.  I specifically show what I do as a plan pathologist and how it impacts biofuels production."

It is relevant, in-depth science lessons like Uppalpati’s research that Okema High School science teacher Jessica Thompson says challenges her students to think critically like scientists. Previously, when asked about current environmental issues like alternative energy, Thompson said the students had opinions but couldn’t explain their reasoning.

“Using the online multimedia science lessons, I was able to guide the conversation in thought provoking ways,” explained Thompson. The students experience science as scientists, from discovering the problem, to using trial and error experiments for solutions.

“Students are capable of so much more than taking a test,” said Thompson. “They want to be challenged and show their creativity.”  Using research like cellulosic biofuels production allows students to apply their scientific book knowledge to current world issues.

Bringing the research experience from the field to the classroom does require an educational bridge. K20 staff collaborate with researchers to create meaningful and grade-specific lessons. Then they supplement the lessons with videos of teachers using the lessons in the classroom, video tutorials, detailed handouts and online support from K20 content specialists.

Uppalapati admits it can be difficult to break down some of the terminology to a middle school or high school level but is rewarding process for the researcher as well as the students and teachers.

 “I love that real-world research happening today can be translated and taught to students around the world as we’re working on it,” said Uppalapati.  “This is the future of research and education.”